Hose restraint system with two or more spaced cable loops for whip mitigation

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and a hose restraint assembly for a pressurized fluid hose. The assembly includes a first cable loop and a second cable loop formed from a continuous cable and spaced longitudinally apart along the hose. Each cable loop is configured to encircle the hose and terminate at a common anchoring assembly. A protective sleeve is positioned around each of the first and second cable loops and disposed in contact with the hose. The common anchoring assembly is configured to transfer tensile energy from the continuous cable to a fixed structural support during a hose failure event. The first and second cable loops are configured to constrict and tighten passively around the hose as the hose contracts under pressure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hose restraint assembly for a pressurized fluid hose, comprising:
 a first cable loop and a second cable loop formed from a continuous cable and spaced longitudinally apart along the hose,
 each cable loop configured to encircle the hose and terminate at a common anchoring assembly; and 
   a protective sleeve positioned around each of the first and second cable loops and disposed in contact with the hose, and
 wherein the common anchoring assembly is configured to transfer tensile energy from the continuous cable to a fixed structural support during a hose failure event, 
 wherein the first and second cable loops are configured to constrict and tighten passively around the hose as the hose contracts under pressure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable loop and the second cable loop are spaced apart by a distance between 8 and 16 inches along the length of the hose. 
     
     
         3 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protective sleeve comprises an abrasion-resistant material selected from at least one of polyester, neoprene, polyurethane, and a woven textile composite. 
     
     
         4 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous cable comprises a multi-stranded steel cable coated with a corrosion-resistant polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the common anchoring assembly comprises at least one of a swaged metallic eyelet and a clevis connector configured to interface with at least one of a shackle and a rig-mounted fixture. 
     
     
         6 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first cable loop and the second cable loop includes a thimble insert disposed between the cable and the hose surface, the thimble configured to reduce deformation of the hose during constriction. 
     
     
         7 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protective sleeves are permanently fixed to the cable to loops prevent axial sliding during operation. 
     
     
         8 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hose is a high-pressure industrial hose selected from a group consisting of at least one of hydraulic, pneumatic, frac, and mud hoses. 
     
     
         9 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous cable terminates at the common anchoring assembly through at least one of a swaged and crimped ferrules formed at each cable leg. 
     
     
         10 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly is configured to be installed without detaching the hose from at least one of its pressurized connection and fitting. 
     
     
         11 . The hose restraint assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second cable loops are dimensioned and positioned to dissipate tensile energy by engaging discrete outer surface regions of the hose during a whip-inducing failure event. 
     
     
         12 . A hose restraint device, comprising:
 a single length of flexible cable configured to form a first loop and a second loop, the first loop and the second loop being spaced apart longitudinally along a hose when the device is installed, each of the first loop and the second loop configured to wrap circumferentially around an outer surface of the hose;   a protective sleeve disposed over at least a portion of each of the first and second loops, the protective sleeve comprising a flexible abrasion-resistant material selected from at least one of a polyester, rubber, and a polymer composite, and configured to interface directly with the hose surface to reduce localized compression and wear;   an insert optionally disposed between the cable and the hose surface within at least one of the loops, the insert configured to distribute compressive force and prevent pinching of the hose wall during tightening; and   a pair of crimped ferrules terminating opposing ends of the cable, the ferrules permanently securing the cable to maintain the looped geometry;   wherein the cable is configured to automatically tighten around the hose in response to axial tension resulting from a pressurized fluid failure event, such that both the first and second loops constrict concurrently to restrain the hose, and   wherein the longitudinal spacing between the first loop and the second loop is selected to increase energy absorption and distribute mechanical load along multiple regions of the hose body.   
     
     
         13 . The hose restraint device of  claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal spacing between the first loop and the second loop is between 8 inches and 16 inches. 
     
     
         14 . The hose restraint device of  claim 13 , wherein the protective sleeve further comprises an inner lining layer configured to reduce friction between the cable and the hose surface. 
     
     
         15 . The hose restraint device of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible cable comprises a multi-stranded steel wire construction with a corrosion-resistant coating. 
     
     
         16 . The hose restraint device of  claim 13 , wherein the ferrules are formed from at least one of aluminum, stainless steel, and another metallic alloy and are mechanically swaged onto the cable ends to prevent slippage. 
     
     
         17 . The hose restraint device of  claim 13 , wherein both the first loop and the second loop are formed using a pre-measured cable length specific to a hose diameter range. 
     
     
         18 . The hose restraint device of  claim 13 , wherein the protective sleeve is at least one heat-shrunk and bonded to the cable to prevent relative movement between the sleeve and the cable during use. 
     
     
         19 . The hose restraint device of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the at least one thimble and spool insert comprises a non-metallic composite material selected for impact dispersion and thermal resistance,   wherein the cable is configured to constrict without the aid of external tensioning hardware, relying solely on induced axial force from at least one hose contraction and pressure reversal,   wherein the device is configured to be installed on the hose without requiring disconnection of the hose from its fitting,   wherein at least one of the first loop or the second loop is color-coded or marked to indicate proper placement along the hose during installation.   
     
     
         20 . A multi-loop hose choker system, comprising:
 a plurality of cable loops spaced longitudinally along a pressurized hose;   a protective sleeve surrounding each of the plurality of cable loops;   at least one thimble and spool insert optionally disposed between each cable loop and a surface of the hose; and   an anchoring assembly coupled to the ends of the cable and attachable to a structural frame,
 wherein the at least two staggered loops are configured to progressively cinch onto the hose surface in response to axial load resulting from at least one of a coupling and pressure failure, thereby distributing force across multiple locations and reducing hose whip, and 
   a crimped termination fixed at each end of the cable to secure the loops.